“The two countries, as special strategic partners, have once again confirmed that they are true friends who help each other in times of difficulty.”

Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik made this comment on the 18th during a briefing on the introduction of 18 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the international crude oil supply crisis continues due to the aftermath of the war between the United States and Iran, assessments are emerging that the trend of strengthening relations with the UAE, a key Middle Eastern ally since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, has effectively become a lifeline.

During President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to the UAE in November last year, which marked a turning point in bilateral relations, the two countries strengthened existing cooperation in defense, nuclear power, and energy, while expanding the scope of cooperation into cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and space. Subsequently, as a follow-up to the summit, there have been consecutive high-level exchanges between Chief Secretary Kang, who also serves as the President’s Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation, and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, who has been designated as the UAE’s special envoy to Korea. The introduction of 6 million barrels of crude oil on the 6th was also realized through the “hotline” between Chief Secretary Kang and Chairman Khaldoon.

In the current wartime situation, the UAE has actively cooperated not only on crude oil but also in supporting the return of Korean nationals. On the 6th, the UAE lifted its airspace closure, allowing the resumption of direct flights on the Dubai/Abu Dhabi–Incheon routes, and on the 8th, an Etihad Airways charter flight was arranged.

There is speculation that support for the Korean-made Cheongung-II (M-SAM Block II) ground-to-air guided weapon system, which the UAE needs to defend against Iranian missile attacks, could be accelerated as a quid pro quo for the UAE’s total support of 24 million barrels of crude oil. Earlier, on the 6th, Chief Secretary Kang described the introduction of 6 million barrels of crude oil as “the fruit of strategic economic cooperation between the two countries,” adding, “Just as Cheongung protects the UAE’s security, UAE crude oil is contributing to our energy security.”

It is reported that discussions related to Cheongung-II also took place during Chief Secretary Kang’s latest visit to the UAE. The UAE is known to be requesting either an earlier delivery schedule for the contracted Cheongung-II batteries or support in the form of interceptor missiles. The UAE signed a contract with Korea in 2022 to introduce 10 Cheongung-II batteries and is currently operating two of them.

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